strite



G. T. STRIIE.

PLOW.

lIIIPPLICM'IOII FILED AUG.29. IQIr.

Patented May 13, 1919.

4 SHEETS--SHEET 1.

G. T. STRITE.

PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.29 |91?.

Iatented May 13, 1919. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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Plow. APPLICATION FILED AUG-29| |917.

Patented May 13, 1919.

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GEORGE T. STRITE, OF MINNEAPOLIS, ILVHILTI'G'ESOLA,I ASSIGNOR TO AVERYCOMPANY, 0F PEORIA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PLOW.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented May 13, 1919.

Original application led February 20, 1911, Serial No. GGSLGZB. Dividedand this application led August 29, 1917. Serial No: 188,803. i

To all whom t may concer/n.

Be it known that lf, GEORGE T. STRITE, al citizen of the United States,residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State ofMinnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plows,of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to an automatic power operated `plow lift and isespecially adapted to application in connection with motor drawngangplows employing a large number of individual plows. In such cases itis necessary that each plow occupy a position to the rear of theadjacent plow on the share side thereof -in order that sufficient roommay be allowed each plow for the turning of the furrow. lf all of theplows in such a gang are simultaneously lifted or thrown from the groundthere will be a triangular piece of ground left 'un-4 plowed. lt isdesirable, therefore, to lift the plows successively and automaticallyso that all of the furrows will-be ended of comparatively the samelength and the margins of the plowed land thereby left in an evencondition.

ln connection with the above it is provided that the individual liftingof any plow may also be effected at will at any desired intermediatetime, the construction being such that 'this individual plow lift is notobstructed by the power gang lift and also permits their operation asaforesaid.

The invention relates particularlyto gang4 plowing mechanisms of theclass in which each comprises an engine or tractor and a draft framedetachably connected to it and trailing behind it, this frame being somounted and supported in relation to the ground surface that theplow-beam-attaching points will be held in substantially fixed positionsin relation to the ground surface when the apparatus is at work. Eachplow unit is sefured to the draft frame in such way Ithat the important,parts of the unit, such as the body and the beam, will be so held at alltimes that they can vibrate vertically in arcs which are fixed inrelation to the connecting points on the frame. The plowing mechanismsof the cla referred to are in contradistinction to those of the class inwhich there were several points of flexible union between the beam andthegframe; there always being an overhanging support connected to theunit at a point near the plow body, and intended to lift or lower thebody, and there generally being also a link system interposed betweenthe front end of the beam proper and the draft frame, the link or linksbeing connected to the front end of the beams by one set of pivotdevices, and the front end of the link or links being connected byanother set of pivot devices, the front end of the beam proper beingallowed to move vertically bodily in relation to the frame and sometimestomov'e laterally. In a plow of the sort to which thelpresent inventionrelates, the plow unit comprises a beam which, when at work, is rigid inrelation to the plow body, and is secured to the draft frame by vadevice furnishing a single pivot abutment around which the beam and thebody swing vertically, as aforesaid, in fixed arcs, and the supportingof the body at any one of its several working1 lines (optionallypredetermined) and its lifting vertically to points above-the ground areaccomplished by means of a wheel connected to the beam and locatedrelatively near the body whereby it is adaptedto take the down pressurefrom the suction of the body when at work and from its gravity when itis elevated for transportaion. l

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedmechanism whereby the several plow units of the class above referred tocan be lifted upon the. ground wheels in succession by means of anautomatically acting power mechanism. Plows of the class to which myinvention relates have usually been constructed prior to my inventionwith long` forward extending hand levers connected with the supportingwheels and adapted to be operated by a plowman on the main frameplatform to raise or lower the plows. And locks were provided forholding the plows either in elevated position or in any of severalworking positions. v

The `hand levers have many features of advantage which are not presentin an automatically acting successive lift power mech anism. Itsometimes happens that it is desirable to operate the plow with one ormore of the units raised to inoperative positions, and it also sometimeshappens that one of the units must be raised temporarily independentlyof the others to pass over an obstruction. Another object of myinvention is to provide in combination two sets'of lifting devices forthe plow units, one of these sets being hand levers manuallycontrollable from the platform, and the other set being power actuateddevices operating automatically in succession.

In the drawings which represent the'application of my invention in oneform,-

Figure 1 is a plan of gang plow and tractionv engine diagrammaticallyrepresented and' showing my improvements connected therewith.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of such machines showing themanner of connection of the lifting levers to the plow levers.

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary pla-n, views of the frame and of theengine' showing my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation partly in section of the same parts.

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of the clutch operating device shown inFig. 5.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are side views of the hoisting cams and levers indilerent positions.

Fig. 11 is an end view of one of the same.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view of the clutch operating mechanism.

Figs. 13 and 14 show details of the same parts.

. as shown.

In the drawings 1 represents the framework and platform of the gang plowtraveling upon wheels 2, to which framework are pivotally attached, bymeans of rock shafts 3, plows 4 the beams 5 of which may be securedtogether in pairs by yoke members 6, Each plow or pair of plows so yokedtogether, has mounted thereon a roller or wheel 8 for holding the plowsin 'position to enter the ground to the desired depth or so that saidplows may be withdrawn from and held out of contact with the ground. Therollers 8 are held in yokes 9 secured to levers 10 and angular arms 11fast on said levers 10, the levers 10 bein pivoted to the plow beams andtherefore operating to raise or lower the rollers 8 with respect to thebottom of the plow-share which, by reason of the contact of the rollersSwith the ground, will have the effect of lowering and raising the plowitself. The levers 10 are held in any desired position lby means ofratchets 12 coperating with notches 13 in segments 14, said ratchetsbeing operable by a hand piece 15 connected thereto by a link or cord16. Orl the ratchets may be operated by the power lift by means of asimilar member 17 in connection with said link 16, which members 17 maybe operated by flexible connections 18 extending around pulleys 19 and2O or equivalent bearings or abutments on the draft frame, where thesame are desirable, beneath the platform 1 of the plow frame and beneaththe frame 21 ofthe traction engine, to lifting levers 22 mounted tooscillate on said frame, as will be hereinafter described.

By this or equivalent mechanism the power lift can pick up andthereafter control any plow which has been individually adjusted foratemporary purpose.

The said frame 21 is carried by traction wheels 23 and 24 which arerotated by a power shaft 25 in a well-known manner, the power shaftbeing driven by a prime mover a of common construction (Fig. l). Saidpower shaft is carried by bearings 26 attached to the traction frame 21and has fast thereon a gear 26 meshing with a larger gear 27 on a clutchshaft 28 carried in bearings 29 secured to the frame 21. Loose on theclutch shaft 28 is a gear 30 having thereon a clutch face splined andadapted to slide on the shaft 28. The clutch 32 has a groove 33 withwhich eoperates a fork 34 pivoted at 35 to an arm 36 secured to theframe 21, said fork having an opening 37 through the shank thereof,which opening embraces a diminished portion 38 of a link 39 pivotallyconnected at 40 to an arm 41 pivoted at 42 to the frame 21. The clutchfork 34 is normally pressed against a shoulder 43 on the arm 39 by aspring 44 extending between said clutch arm and a nut or shoulder 45 onthe diminished portion 38. This arrangement permits the clutch faces tocome apart when from any cause the operative portions of the machine,while geared to my power lifting device, engage obstructions which makeit desirable for said power lifting device to become unclutched to avoidbreakage, the spring 44 being of such strength as normally te hold theclutch faces in engagement when driving action of the lifting devices isdesired. The clutch teeth are formed slightly oblique .in theiroperative surfaces with respect to the forward or actuating direction ofrotation of the shaft. the arrangement being such that, unless abnormalconditions occur, the parts will he clutched to rotate the camshaft, butmay give when an unexpected obstruction is met with during liftingaction. Movement of the clutch fork 34 is effected simultaneouslywiththe movement of the arm 41 to throw the clutch 32 into engagementwith the clutch face 3l through the link 39, the free end of which isengaged by a socket 46 on one arm 47 of a bell crank pivoted at 48 tothe bracket- 36. The otherl arm 49 of said bell crank is connected by alink 50 to a depending arm 51 of a bell crank pivoted at 52 to the frame21 below the rear platform of the traction engine, the other arm 53 ofsaid bell crank being pivotally connected to a foot lever 54 extendingabove said platform. By depressing the foot lever 54 the arms 51 and 49will be simultaneously rocked so as to cause the arm 47 to be rockedagainstthe force of a spring 55 extending between the arm 41 and a lug56 on the bracket 36 depending from the frame 21. This will rock the arm47 in a direction to thrust the link 39 outwardly, thereby swing ing thearm 41 outwardly and at the same time, through the spring 44 rocking theclutch fork 24 to move the clutch 32 into engagement with the clutchface 31. rlhe gear 30 is in mesh with a gear 57 fast on a cam shaft 58carried by bearings 59 attached to the frame 21. Outstanding from theside of the gear 57 is an annular ring 60, said ring being divided atdiametrically opposite direction thereto by notches 61, as shown in Fig.5. The arm 41 is provided with inwardly extending short arms 62 and 63,between which is mounted a roller 64 of the proper size to enter thenotch 61. When the link 89 is actuated to throw into gearing the clutch32 the arm 41 is simultaneously rocked to withdraw the roller 64 fromthe notch 61. rlhe gear 57 will thereupon immediately begin to revolve,which will cause the roller 64 to ride upon the annular ring 60 with theresult that the arm 41 and clutch fork 34 will be positively held inoperative position, without regard to whether the operator continues tohold down the foot lever 54, until said roller comes over the othernotch 61 one hundred and eighty degrees (180) from the first notch,whereupon said roller will be thrust into said notch by action of thespring 55, the clutch be simultaneously thrown out of gear, and rotationof the gear 57 will be instantly stopped.

The levers 22 depend from a shaft 65 rigidly secured to the frame 21 bypieces 66 so as to extend across said frame in proximity to the shaft58, the levers 22 being mounted on said shaft 65l so as to be capable ofindependent rocking movement thereon. Each of said levers is composed oftwo pieces 22 and 22 held properly spaced apart on the shaft 65 bywashers 67 and secured together in parallel relation by a bolt or otherconnection 68 at the free ends thereof, which also serves as means forsecuring the cords 18 to said levers. Upon the shaft 58 are a series ofcams 69, each of said cams being placed in operative relation to one ofthe levers 22 and comprising a disk of the proper thickness to enterbetween the bars 22 and 22 of said levers, said disk having asemicircular high portion 70 and a semi-circular lower portion 71, eachof said portions being concentric with respect to the other andextending throughout approximately one-half of the peripheralcircumference of the disk. Each cam is or may be thus formed with acontinuous surface comprising a low or inactive portion, an activelifting portion ex* 73 extending between the bars 22 and 22', the

rollers being held against the cam faces by the weight of the plowsoperating to draw the levers 22 rearwardly by means of the connectingcords 18, and when said rollers are on the lower cam face 71 the plowswill be held operative so as to be free to enter the ground, from whichthey will be lifted when said rollers pass up from the low cam-faces 71to the high cam-faces 70 which serve as stops for sustaining the plowbodies on the power mechanism. The cams are differentially placed on theshaft 50, as clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10, in such manner thattherollers 72 will be successively lifted. Tha is, the lifting portions ofthe cams are successively positioned and so proportioned that theyexercise a lifting action during but an extremely brief period of theirrotation, and each acts tocompletely lift its plow before the nextbegins to lift. The plows are lifted immediately and nearly verticallynotwithstandingthe forward movement of the apparatus, and each plow hascompleted its elevating movement and remains stationary while the otherplows are being raised or lowered, no two plows being in movement at thesame time. This arrangement, and the gearing by which the cam-shaft 58is rotated, are such that a half revolution of the camshaft will eifectthe successive operation of the levers 22 through the rollers 72 therebysuccessively lifting the plows, and lifting each plow, or pair of plowsin a line transversely even with one another. That is, the annularspacing of type cams around the shaft 58 and the rate of rbtation ofsaid shaft in relation to the speed of travel of the machine are sorelated that the plows come out of the ground and enter it successivelyalong a straight line transverse to the line of draft of the machine. Itwill be noted that this will be so whatever the rate at which the gangof plows is being drawn by the traction engine, since the shaft 25 whichoperates` the plow-lifting devices is the driving shaft of the tractionwheels. Conversely, a full half revolution of the cam-shaft willsuccessively restore the plows to operative position so that the sainewill enter the ground to begin a new set of furrows on a similartransvers'ely even line. i

y The operation of my device will readily be understood in connectionwith the detailed description thereof. At the beginning ofplowoperations it will be necessary for the operator merely to depress thefoot lever the half revolution and withdraw the plows successively fromthe ground. At the 'same time each plow or pair of plows connected tothe hand levers 10 can be independently operated. n

It will be seen that with a plowing mechanism embodying my invention theoperator is provided with two complete sets of devices whereby he cancontrol the plows. Usually during normal plowing operation the plows areraised or lowered by means of the power actuated mechanism. But if thismechanism is not available at any time, as for instance, when the wholeapparatus is standing still then the plowing units, or any of them, canbe lifted manually at will by means of the hand levers. During plowingthe. plow bodies are firmly locked against movement with respect totheir ground wheels, but as soon as power is applied for lifting thebody the locks are automatically released. The lifting mechanism is sodisposed with respect to the top surface of the platform that the saidsurface is left entirely free from obstruction so that the plowman canwalk about on it to operate the levers.

It will be clear that plowing mechanisms embodying my invention may beconstructed by adding parts to plows already built and not originallyintended to be powerA controlled as to their lifting.

In the construction illustrated the segments 14, in connection with thelevers 10, form stops to hold the wheel 8 downward relative to anindividually .lifted plow to hold the latter up as long as desired; andalso form stops to hold the plows from further downward movementrelative to the wheels 8 when the plows are in active position, andthereby I.regulate the depth yof plowing.

This application is a division of my application Serial Number 609,628,filed Feb. 20, 1911.

What is claimed is:

1. In a gang plow, the combination of a ground supported draft frameadapted to be hitched behind a tractor, a series of independently risingand falling plow bodies each hinged directly to the draft frame forvertical movement in xed arcs, a series of vertically movable bodysupporting wheels each connected to and supporting one of the plowbodies, a power device having an abutment on kthe main frame andconnected with all of the said ground wheels to move them vertically andautomatically successively, a

holder for securing each ground wheel in.

fixed operative relation to its plow body having two reciprocallyengagin separable parts one connected to the bo y and the other to thewheel, means actuated by the power device for separating the parts ofsaid holders successively to permit the power device to lift the bodiessuccessively, and optionally controlled devices manually operable fromthe draft frame for separating the parts of any holder to permit thecorresponding body to be vertically moved and for then lifting such bodyindependently of the others, said power devices and manual devices beingadapted to independently separate the parts of the holders,respectively.

2. In a gang plow, the combination of a ground supporting draft frameadapted to be hitched behind a tractor, a series of independently risingand falling plow bodies each hinged to the draft frame for verticalmovement in fixed arcs, a series of vertically movable body supportingwheels, each connected to one of the plow bodies, a series ofindependent hand levers each connected with one of the body-supportingwheels, a power device having an abutment on the draft frame andconnected with all of -the said body-supporting wheels to move themsuccessively vertically throughout the series relative to the saidabutment, a lock adapted to secure each ground wheel in fixed relationto its plow body, and means actuated by the power devices for releasingthe locks and then moving vertically the corresponding bodies.

3. In a, gang plow, the combination of a ground supporting draft frame,adapted to be hitched behind a tractor, a series of independently risingand falling plow bodies, each hinged to the draft frame for verticalmovement in fixed arcs, a series of vertically movable body-supportingwheels each connected with one of the bodies and adapted to adjust therelative position of its body independently of the others, a lock for.adjustably securing each wheel in adjusted position, and a power deviceconnected to all of the locks and to all of the said body-supportingwheels to move them successively vertically from one end of the seriesto the other after releasing the locks successively.

4. In a gang plow, the combination of a ground supporting draft frameadapted to be hitched behind a tractor, a series of independentlyrisingand falling plow bodies each hinged to the draft frame forvertical movement in fixed arcs, a series of vertically movablebody-supporting wheels each connected to one of the plow bodies, aseries of independent hand levers each connected with one of the bodysupporting wheels, a power device having its abutment on the draft frameand connected with all of the said ground wheels to move themrespectively vertically automatically in succession throughout theseries, a lock adapted to secure each ground wheel in fixed relation toits plow body, and means operated by the power devices for releasing thelock automatically, prior to moving the said wheels vertically.

5. In a gang plow, the combination of a ground supporting draft frame,adapted to be hitched behind a tractor, a series of independently risingand `falling plow bodies, each hinged to the draft frame for verticalmovement in fixed arcs, a serie-s of body-supporting wheels eachconnected to one of the plow bodies and movable vertically independentlythereof, a series of independent hand levers each connected with one ofthe body supporting wheels, a power device connected with all of thesaid ground wheels to move them automatically in succession ver ticallythroughout the series at each actuation of the power device, a lock foreach ground wheel adapted to secure it in fined relation to the plowbody, and means actuated by the power devices for `releasing the locksautomatically successively.

6. ln a gang plow, the combination of a ground supporting draft frameadapted to be hitched behind a tractor, a series of independently risingand falling plow bodies each hinged directly to the draft frame forvertical movement in fixed arcs, a series of vertically movablebody-supporting wheels each adjustably connected to one of the plowbodies, power devices connected to all of the said plow bodies forelevating them automatically in succession from one end of the series tothe other at each actuation of the power mechanism, a series of handvlevers connected to each of the said body-supporting wheels and adaptedto raise and lower the plow bodies independently of the power mechanismand of each other and to set the bodies lat different adjustmentsrelative to the said wheels, and means for adjustably fastening thelevers independently of each other in relation to the plow bodies, saidpower devices being adapted to automatically lift the bodies from theirseveral varyseries of adjustable locks each fastening aing positions ofvertical adjustment.

7. ln a gang plow, the combination of a ground supported draft frameadapted to be hitched behind a tractor, a series of independently risingand falling plow bodies each Vhinged to the draft frame for verticalmovement in fixed arcs, a series of vertically movable body-supportingwheels each connected to one of the plow bodies, two systems of devicesfor moving the said ground wheel independently relatively to theirbodies, the first system being a series of independent hand leversconnected to the said wheels, and a lever and its wheel in differentpositions relative to their plow body, and the second system comprisinga power mechanism connected to all of the said plow bodies in common,for lifting them successively at each actuation, and means actuated bythe power mechanism for releasing the said locks, said power mechanismbeing adapted to lift the said bodies from their diering verticalpositions to higher positions after opening the locks.

8|. In a gang plow, the combination of a ground supported. draft frameadapted to be hitchedbehind a tractor, a series of independently risingand falling plow bodies each hinged to the draft frame for verticalmovenient in fiXed arcs, a series of vertically movable body-supportingwheels each connected to one of the plow bodies, two systems of devicesfor moving the said wheels vertically relative to their bodies, theiirst system being a series of independent hand levers connected to thesaid wheels and an adjustable lock for fastening each lever and itswheel in different positions relatively to their plow body, and thesecond system comprising power lmechanism connectedto all of the saidplow bodies in common for lifting them automatically in succession ateach actuation, and stops independent of the said lock mechanism forsustaining the plow bodies on the power mechanism.

9. In a gang plow, the combination of a ground supported draft frameadapted to be hitched behind a tractor, said frame having anunobstructed platform surface for an operator, a series of independentlyrising and falling plow bodies, each hinged directly to the draft framefor vertical movement in fixed arcs, a series of vertically adjustableplow su porting wheels, each connected to one of t e plow bodies, apower mechanism supported independently of the said upper surface of theplatform, and connected with all of the said plow bodies for elevatingthem automatically in succession from one end of the series to the otherat each actuation of the power mechanism, and a series of hand leversconnected to each of said ground wheels and accessible to an operator onthe said platform for adjustin the said ground wheels independently of te power mechanism and of each other.

10. In a power operated plow lift, in combination: a frame; a series ofindividual plow units pivoted to the frame, each plow unit having abeam, a plow bottom and a vertically adjustable wheel; a wheel-adjustingmechanism for each unit comprising a hand lever for adjusting the wheelindependently of the other plow units; a wheel stop to hold the wheeland hand lever in predetermined position; and a series of power-actuatedplow-lifting devices arranged to automatically operate in succession andeach connectmatic successive lifting land thereby ying the Vsaid wheelsdepressed ed with Aa wheel-adjusting mechanism and adapted tosuccessively move the stops that hold the hand levers and the wheels andsnccessively lift and lower gradually the plow bottoms on the wheels.

l1. In a power operated gang plow lift, the combination of a draftframe, a gang of plows, each plow having a connected and relativelydepressible supporting wheel, power operated mechanism for relativelydepressin, g` said wheels automatically in pre- .determined successionand thereby correspondingly lifting fall of the plows, and individualwheel controlling and plow lifting and supporting means operablemanually from the draft frame for raising and positively holding up anyplow separately, said power mechanism remaining operative forautoirrespective of such holding up of any plow.

l2. In a power operated gang plow lift, the combination of a gang ofplows, each plow having a connected and relatively depressiblesupporting wheel, power operated means for relatively ldepressing saidwheels in 'automatically predetermined succession correspondinglylifting said plows successively asa gang, stops for holdand the plowselevated together, independent individual plow lifting means fordepressing a wheel and lifting its plow separately from the other wheelsand plows, and stops for said individual plow lifting means for holdingdepressed any wheel when its plow is elevated. 13. In a power operatedgang plow lift, the combination of a gang of plows, each plow having aconnected and relatively depressible supporting wheel, power operatedmeans for relatively depressing said wheels in automaticallypredetermined succession and thereby correspondingly lifting said plowssuccessively as a gang, stops for holding the said wheels depressed andthe plows elevated together, independent individual plow lifting meansand lifting its plow separately from the other wheels and plows, andstops for said individual plow lifting means for holding depressed anywheel when its plow is elevated, the elements of the last mentionedstops being separable by said power operated means.

In testimony whereof, I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' GEORGE T. STRITE. Witnesses MARGARET E. GoULD, EDITH YAUKE.

4Copies of this patent may be obtained `for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washngton,`D. C.

for depressing a wheel-

